Community Foundation to mark 50 years

March 4, 2013

PARKERSBURG - The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and Superior Toyota-Hyundai will be marking the 50th anniversary of the foundation's service in the Parkersburg area through the "50th Anniversary 'Cornerstone of Our Community Awards.'"

Our Community's Foundation - The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and Regional Affiliates (PACF) - has benefitted the local area for 50 years and Superior Toyota has been a cornerstone of the Parkersburg auto community for over three decades, said foundation director Judy Sjostedt.

Since 1963, PACF has worked to inspire philanthropy, engage citizens and deliver results. Last year, it awarded $1.6 million in grants to more than 127 organizations, scholarships for 275 students and jobs for 14 local college students through its Civic Leaders Fellowship.

A family business spanning two generations, Superior Toyota has held a vital role in the Parkersburg auto community since 1973 when it began as a used car lot and gas station. Owned and operated by T.R. and Scott Hathaway, Superior Toyota employs 65 people.

In recognition of the foundation's 50th anniversary, Superior Toyota donated $10,000 to launch PACF's "Cornerstone of Our Community Awards."

"A 'cornerstone' is the fundamental building block on which a foundation rests," Sjostedt said. "PACF began when a handful of people stepped up and laid the cornerstone for a permanent, public charity. The fact that PACF does so much good now is a credit to all the citizens past and present who have continuously built on that foundation. Our 50th Anniversary Award will recognize those special persons who today are likewise serving as cornerstones, building a better community for all of us," she said.

Through its "Cornerstone" program, PACF will share Superior's gift, dividing it into $1,000 grants to honor 10 award recipients, selected using a community nominations process. Each Cornerstone recipient will identify one fund from among the Foundation's 400-plus charitable funds to receive a $500 grant in his/her honor with the fund's corresponding agency or cause immediately receiving $500, resulting in $1,000 issued in the honoree's name.

The honoree will also receive a personal memento acknowledging his/her designation as a "Cornerstone."

The public can begin nominating individuals, couples or groups today for "Cornerstone" consideration, using its online process at www.pacfwv.com (click on the blue Parkersburg Area Community Foundation link on the home page).

Basic eligibility includes: at least three years of continuous service and dedication to the local area; evidence of positive, significant community impact; and sustained "superior" personal or organizational devotion as demonstrated by giving of one's time, talent and/or resources to improve the community in a particular field, such as arts, education, youth, etc.

The nomination period will close March 27. Individuals without Internet access may secure a print application at the public libraries in Parkersburg, south Parkersburg, Vienna and Williamstown or PACF's headquarters at 1620 Park Ave., Parkersburg, between 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.